The Lovereading4Kids comment

The twelve stories in this collection are among the best-loved and most enchanting fairy stories; classic tales that have enthralled children all over the world for hundreds of years. Rarely, if ever, have they been presented as perfectly as here, complete with stunning artwork by Jane Ray. Here is fairy-tale magic for many a lifetime and a pleasure to return to time and time again.

This title is part of the Walker Illustrated Classics, a new series which brings together some of the best-loved stories ever told, illustrated by some of today's finest artists. These exquisitely designed books, with their magnificent words and glorious pictures, are a pleasure to read - and re-read. The classics have never looked so good. To see more Illustrated Classics click here to go to the Classics section, then click the Illustrated tab.

Synopsis

Classic Fairy Tales - Illustrated Edition by Jane Ray

Walker Illustrated Classics is a new series which brings together some of the best-loved stories ever told, illustrated by some of today's finest artists. These exquisitely designed books, with their magnificent words and glorious pictures, are a pleasure to read - and re-read. The classics have never looked so good!

The twelve stories in this collection are among the best-loved and most enchanting fairy stories of all. These are classic tales that have enthralled children all over the world for hundreds of years; but rarely, if ever, can they have been presented as perfectly as here. Here is fairy-tale magic for many a lifetime.

About the Author

As a child

Jane Ray grew up in Muswell Hill, London, in a house full of books and music (her father is a pianist). She always loved to paint and draw and first started making books at the age of five. She never much enjoyed going to school as it was an interruption to what she really wanted to do and she still can’t believe that she is actually able to earn a living, staying at home and painting and drawing.

As an adult

Jane trained at art school in 3-dimensional design (ceramics, glass-blowing, furniture and jewellery design) but came back to illustration which is what she always wanted to do when she graduated. She has worked, among other things, as a life model, a special needs teacher, a telephone cleaner and a mural artist. She has three children and works from a very nice shed at the bottom of the garden.

As an artist

Jane started out, after leaving art school, by designing greetings cards, wrapping paper, book jackets and posters, and selling her paintings. However, the making of picture books has become the most important aspect of her work and she has recently begun to write as well as illustrate. She finds the picture book to be the most satisfying of art forms. She often goes into schools to talk about her books and to work with children and finds this a stimulating alternative to the blank sheet of paper.

Things you didn't know about Jane Ray:

1. Favourite food – Sunday roast with all the trimmings and all the family. 2. She has two cats. 3. She used to play the cello. 4. She doesn’t like grapefruit. 5. She wishes she could play the piano. 6. She likes to sing in the bath. 7. She doesn’t drink tea. 8. She’d be a teacher if she wasn’t an illustrator, or she’d have a flower stall. 9. She likes English weather! 10. She loves her garden studio and works there every day, after a two-mile walk each morning.